Boston
May 14th, 2010, 04:15 AM
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Boston
With much help from this board, I have booked 4 nights at the Residence Inn Boston Tudor Wharf. Now I am looking for advice on where to go, what not to miss and where to eat.
We are 2 adults, 15 yr old boy and 12 yr old girl. We plan to hit the highlights, history sites but what else might be fun to do. Heard of an aquarium. Can you tour Sam Adams? Are the Duck Tours worth it or right for teens?
Any great resturants we shouldn't miss? Someone suggested No Name but not sure where that is in realation to Tudor Wharf. Also heard of North End (?) being like a Little Italy?
Thanks for all your help.
We are 2 adults, 15 yr old boy and 12 yr old girl. We plan to hit the highlights, history sites but what else might be fun to do. Heard of an aquarium. Can you tour Sam Adams? Are the Duck Tours worth it or right for teens?
Any great resturants we shouldn't miss? Someone suggested No Name but not sure where that is in realation to Tudor Wharf. Also heard of North End (?) being like a Little Italy?
Thanks for all your help.
Going to Boston in September.
May 14th, 2010, 04:29 AM
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Would definitely recommend the duck tours. Good way to see the city. Walk the Freedom Trail.
The Boston Aquarium is small but decent and right near the Harbor so you get great views.
Could go to the Top of the Prudential. There is a good Science Museum.
Do a search on these boards as there are a lot of posts on what to do in Boston and restaurants. I don't think No Name qualifies as a great restaurant.
You can do Sam Adams tours. Kind of isolated from the city and may need a car (not sure if you will have one).
Look into a tour of Fenway Park or a game but tickets are tough to come by.
The Boston Aquarium is small but decent and right near the Harbor so you get great views.
Could go to the Top of the Prudential. There is a good Science Museum.
Do a search on these boards as there are a lot of posts on what to do in Boston and restaurants. I don't think No Name qualifies as a great restaurant.
You can do Sam Adams tours. Kind of isolated from the city and may need a car (not sure if you will have one).
Look into a tour of Fenway Park or a game but tickets are tough to come by.
May 14th, 2010, 05:25 AM
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Yes, the North End is called Little Italy and is full of great restaurants of all kinds. It is about a half-mile from Tudor Wharf, across the bridge.
Another vote for Duck tours -- excellent for teens.
No Name is further south, on the waterfront, near the convention center. (May be too far to walk.) Legal Sea Foods is reliably good, not too expensive, several locations in Boston.
There are several sports bars and pubs on Canal and Friend Streets (south of the Banknorth Garden (basketball and hockey arena)).
On a Saturday Morning you might enjoy strolling Blackstone Street, where Haymarket is held -- a huge outdoor market, mostly produce and groceries but also other things. It is near Quncy Market and Fanuell Hall.
The USS Constitution frigate (Old Ironsides) (and museum) is a short walk from your hotel and really interesting.
The Aquarium is good; I think the Museum of Science is even better.
Consider a Whale-watching tour or harbor tour (depending on weather--and bring a jacket it will be colder than you think), or just take the water taxi from your hotel, for the fun of it.
If you are interested in seeing a show, the kids (and you) would probably enjoy Blue Man Group.
Another vote for Duck tours -- excellent for teens.
No Name is further south, on the waterfront, near the convention center. (May be too far to walk.) Legal Sea Foods is reliably good, not too expensive, several locations in Boston.
There are several sports bars and pubs on Canal and Friend Streets (south of the Banknorth Garden (basketball and hockey arena)).
On a Saturday Morning you might enjoy strolling Blackstone Street, where Haymarket is held -- a huge outdoor market, mostly produce and groceries but also other things. It is near Quncy Market and Fanuell Hall.
The USS Constitution frigate (Old Ironsides) (and museum) is a short walk from your hotel and really interesting.
The Aquarium is good; I think the Museum of Science is even better.
Consider a Whale-watching tour or harbor tour (depending on weather--and bring a jacket it will be colder than you think), or just take the water taxi from your hotel, for the fun of it.
If you are interested in seeing a show, the kids (and you) would probably enjoy Blue Man Group.
May 14th, 2010, 07:54 AM
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1) For the Duck tour, make sure you purchase tickets in advance. The tours sell out during high season.
2) Aquarium is okay, but pretty pricey, so I'd skip it unless your kids really love ocean-related stuff.
3) Regarding the Freedom Trail, your children may enjoy a tour in addition to just wandering it by yourselves. http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/ticke...tohistory.html
4) Take a look at the Boston NPS website, there are guided tours of USS Cassin Young and USS Constitution: http://www.nps.gov/bost/index.htm
5) Also, spend some time wandering around Beacon Hill. It's quite a unique area with old cobblestone streets. http://www.beaconhillonline.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?cid=5
6) Sam Adams is open for tours, but I'm not sure if you can bring your kids there. All tours have a beer tasting component. On its website, it says, "Only guest 21 and older with a valid ID will be able to sample on the tour." So perhaps your kids can go but they just can't do the beer tasting.
However, you can call them to double-check: (617) 368-5256
As others have mentioned, Sam Adams is a bit of a pain to get to. Alternatively, you can consider touring Harpoon Brewery, which offer tours on weekends. We were there last weekend and to me, all commercial breweries look pretty much the same (I was @ Sam Adams last fall). http://www.harpoonbrewery.com/
7) I think the kids will enjoy some time in Harvard Sq & even a walking tour of Harvard: http://www.harvard.edu/visitors/
8) No Name isn't really good anymore. I wouldn't make an effort to go there.
9) North End is little Italy. Just wander around and spend some time on Hanover Street. Also, Paul Revere's house is in North End. It's the oldest house in the city of Boston (c 1680), well worth a visit. http://www.paulreverehouse.org/
2) Aquarium is okay, but pretty pricey, so I'd skip it unless your kids really love ocean-related stuff.
3) Regarding the Freedom Trail, your children may enjoy a tour in addition to just wandering it by yourselves. http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/ticke...tohistory.html
4) Take a look at the Boston NPS website, there are guided tours of USS Cassin Young and USS Constitution: http://www.nps.gov/bost/index.htm
5) Also, spend some time wandering around Beacon Hill. It's quite a unique area with old cobblestone streets. http://www.beaconhillonline.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?cid=5
6) Sam Adams is open for tours, but I'm not sure if you can bring your kids there. All tours have a beer tasting component. On its website, it says, "Only guest 21 and older with a valid ID will be able to sample on the tour." So perhaps your kids can go but they just can't do the beer tasting.
However, you can call them to double-check: (617) 368-5256
As others have mentioned, Sam Adams is a bit of a pain to get to. Alternatively, you can consider touring Harpoon Brewery, which offer tours on weekends. We were there last weekend and to me, all commercial breweries look pretty much the same (I was @ Sam Adams last fall). http://www.harpoonbrewery.com/
7) I think the kids will enjoy some time in Harvard Sq & even a walking tour of Harvard: http://www.harvard.edu/visitors/
8) No Name isn't really good anymore. I wouldn't make an effort to go there.
9) North End is little Italy. Just wander around and spend some time on Hanover Street. Also, Paul Revere's house is in North End. It's the oldest house in the city of Boston (c 1680), well worth a visit. http://www.paulreverehouse.org/
May 14th, 2010, 09:13 AM
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Climb to the top of the Bunker Hill Monument--be prepared for very wobbly legs when you get back down to the bottom. Then walk through Charlestown.
Do not forget to do a cannoli tasting - try them at Mike's, Modern and Maria's (all in the North End) and see which you like best!
Do not forget to do a cannoli tasting - try them at Mike's, Modern and Maria's (all in the North End) and see which you like best!
May 14th, 2010, 07:31 PM
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Several good suggestions above.
No Name is okay if you just stick to chowder and fried seafood, but one can certainly do better. Neptune Oyster is arguably the best traditional seafood place in Boston, and its North End location is convenient -- this would be my first choice.
Also note that while the North End is indeed Boston's "Little Italy," no one actually calls it that locally.
Sox tickets are indeed tough to come by. Check sites like StubHub to try and find game tix.
Boston is covered in solid detail on this board, and a search will yield excellent info.
No Name is okay if you just stick to chowder and fried seafood, but one can certainly do better. Neptune Oyster is arguably the best traditional seafood place in Boston, and its North End location is convenient -- this would be my first choice.
Also note that while the North End is indeed Boston's "Little Italy," no one actually calls it that locally.
Sox tickets are indeed tough to come by. Check sites like StubHub to try and find game tix.
Boston is covered in solid detail on this board, and a search will yield excellent info.
May 15th, 2010, 02:17 PM
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If your kids are allowed on the sam adams tour, you definitely do not need a car. Just take the orange line to Stony Brook and it is a block away.
Also highly second the duck tour. But you must reserve ahead of time.
The harbor islands are fantastic also, especially walking around George's island - the old fort. I think your kids would like that. Just take the ferry from near the aquarium.
Museum of Science is always good too.
Also highly second the duck tour. But you must reserve ahead of time.
The harbor islands are fantastic also, especially walking around George's island - the old fort. I think your kids would like that. Just take the ferry from near the aquarium.
Museum of Science is always good too.
May 18th, 2010, 06:07 AM
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I didn't read any replies above, but I would not recommend the No Name any longer. Maybe years ago. My wife is Italian and her Dad would certainly back me up on that one.
I'm no restaurant expert, and I always forget their names (I'm only responding to this since I was on here looking for a confirmation on my Inn in Maine choice and thought I'd try to help someone coming to my home town).
Ned Devine's in Fanneuil Hall may be a nice choice for lunch (my wife and I like it), nothing special, but I always like eating there outside right on the edge of the marketplace with a glass of wine (Texas Toast; pulled pork), but better choices of food I'm sure, if my picky wife can find something on the menu. ;-)
Take a walk around the Esplanade and through the Public Garden (the park next to The Boston Common at Park Street T stop)
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguid...anade_boston-i
Walk around DownTown Crossing where Macy's is, etc. (a quick 2 minute walk down the street from the Park Street T stop on the Common.
I'm sure you'll run into where Ben Franklin is buried, etc.
Have fun. Didn't see when you were visiting, but October is beautiful in Boston, just fyi, for next time just in case.
Axel
I'm no restaurant expert, and I always forget their names (I'm only responding to this since I was on here looking for a confirmation on my Inn in Maine choice and thought I'd try to help someone coming to my home town).
Ned Devine's in Fanneuil Hall may be a nice choice for lunch (my wife and I like it), nothing special, but I always like eating there outside right on the edge of the marketplace with a glass of wine (Texas Toast; pulled pork), but better choices of food I'm sure, if my picky wife can find something on the menu. ;-)
Take a walk around the Esplanade and through the Public Garden (the park next to The Boston Common at Park Street T stop)
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguid...anade_boston-i
Walk around DownTown Crossing where Macy's is, etc. (a quick 2 minute walk down the street from the Park Street T stop on the Common.
I'm sure you'll run into where Ben Franklin is buried, etc.
Have fun. Didn't see when you were visiting, but October is beautiful in Boston, just fyi, for next time just in case.
Axel
May 18th, 2010, 06:48 AM
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While there are famous patriot contemporaries of Benjamin Franklin (Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Paul Revere) buried in Boston, Franklin's grave is actually located in Christ Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia.
